Just got pulled over for doing 88

[Boingonut]

Ok, so I've had my DeLorean for about a month now and I decided to take my mom for a drive. It had been her first time in it on the freeway so I decided to take it up to 88. I have a BTTF digital speedo so once I hit 88 I started to slow down. However right as I hit 88 I saw a cop pull out and I knew I was nailed. Anyway I drove to an exit, got out all of my registration and insurance and drivers license. The cop comes to the door, I open the gullwing and he has a big smile on his face. He asks "I pulled you over for speeding, do you know how fast you were going" I answered "Did you get me on the radar gun" He said "yup" and I said "Ok, how fast was I going?" And he said "88 Miles per hours" and we both just broke out laughing, my mom was laughing so hard I was hoping he didn't think we were drunk.

Anyway I give him all the stuff, he goes back to his car. Then he comes back out and has his radar gun and says "do you want to take a picture of the radar gun?" I say "Hell yeah!" So I take a picture.

He then goes back to his car and does cop stuff. He comes back and says he's got to do his job and says he is going to give me a speeding a ticket. I say thats ok, and I understand. I sign the ticket and then we then talked a bit about the car and I told him it had a stage II engine and exhaust and I just explained what that all meant. He was actually really cool about it and genuinely interested in the car. Not enough to get out of the ticket though I guess.

Anyway I don't think I'm going to even try to get out of the ticket, I'm probably going to frame it!

[BladeBronson]

Nice! I mean, obviously slow down, but that's great that you were both able to geek out about it. I was waiting in line at the toll booth on the San Mateo bridge and a cop came up to say that he always wanted to pull a DeLorean over at 88. I told him to come catch up with me on the bridge, but of course he was busy and I wasn't in a hurry. Good guy though.

[Lwanmtr]

Hehe...Prolly one of the few times cops will laugh about having to pull some nutjob over going 88...

Guess I'll have to get some gps or something...mine speedo only goes to 85

[iflights]

Great story. Now that cop has a story to tell too!

[Ron]

:cool:

[Rich_NYS]

Cool story!

If the court is as cool as the cop, you probably stand a good chance of pleading that one down.

[David T]

Speeding tickets have become more about the revenue than safety. The systems are set up so once you are pulled over the officer has to give you a ticket, he can't just give you a warning and let you go. You can certainly try to plead it down. When you get to court speak to the prosecutor and try to make the best deal you can. Do not just plead guilty and pay the fine. Go to court if you have the time.

[Rich_NYS]

Speeding tickets have become more about the revenue than safety. The systems are set up so once you are pulled over the officer has to give you a ticket, he can't just give you a warning and let you go. You can certainly try to plead it down. When you get to court speak to the prosecutor and try to make the best deal you can. Do not just plead guilty and pay the fine. Go to court if you have the time.

+1

[Boingonut]

I made the local news haha!!!

https://signalscv.com/2017/05/28/man-receives-ticket-hitting-88-mph-delorean/

[Lwanmtr]

Lol

[Parzval]

Man, that's one thing to say you were going 88, but to have it right there on the gun... that's funny.
I think we all go 88mph on occasion. I did it about an hour into my drive home from getting the car, once I was comfortable and settled in. :)

[DaraSue]

You just went national, lol...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/back-future-fan-hits-88-mph-delorean-1008378

[Boingonut]

Actually international!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4552254/Back-Future-fan-hits-88-mph-driving-DeLorean.html

I also got interviewed by the local TV news on KTLA, they are going to air the story at around 10:20 tonight (pacific time). They will put it up on the internet so I'll post a link once its up. Its kind of wild!

[DaraSue]

Use your fame for good... ;)

[Lwanmtr]

And thus began an era where Delorean owners were hitting 88 just to get tickets and become part of the legend.......

[DaraSue]

Well, at least it would dispell some of the misconceptions about the car being slow... :biggrin:

[Lwanmtr]

I always miss out on all the fun (mines still spread out in the garage)....lol

[JRNY13]

You made the Drudge Report.

[Boingonut]

I'm kind of having a hard time keeping up with all of the different news outlets that have picked up the story. I want you guys to know that this was the first place I posted about the story.

Last evening I had a local Los Angeles TV station, KTLA, come over and interview me. They took a lot of video of the car and ran it on the evening news, its kind of crazy...I think I should put together a gofundme or something to pay for an almost $400 ticket, that way I can use the money to fix the AC and the breaks haha!

Here is a link to the KTLA video:

http://ktla.com/2017/05/29/delorean-driver-gets-pulled-over-for-driving-88-mph-exact-speed-in-back-to-the-future/

[DaraSue]

I'm kind of having a hard time keeping up with all of the different news outlets that have picked up the story. I want you guys to know that this was the first place I posted about the story.

Last evening I had a local Los Angeles TV station, KTLA, come over and interview me. They took a lot of video of the car and ran it on the evening news, its kind of crazy...I think I should put together a gofundme or something to pay for an almost $400 ticket, that way I can use the money to fix the AC and the breaks haha!

Here is a link to the KTLA video:

http://ktla.com/2017/05/29/delorean-driver-gets-pulled-over-for-driving-88-mph-exact-speed-in-back-to-the-future/

Did you take a close look at the ticket to see if there were any errors on it? I've heard (but not tested this myself) that if the cop wrote down your plate wrong or something like that, it can be an automatic dismissal. I once showed up at the courthouse and they couldn't find my ticket in the system (which was lucky for me since it was my 2nd one in a year). Crossing my fingers that you have an error in your favor! I read a book on how to get out of tickets once that said your case can be dismissed if the cop doesn't show up in court to testify. Maybe the guy will cut you a break since he obviously found you to be the highlight of his day. Whatever you do, don't piss off the judge if you contest the ticket - one of my coworkers went to court and the judge doubled his fine because they thought he had a bad attitude or something.

For your and others' future (no pun intended) reference, central UT and other mountain states have 80mph limits - probably a safer place to go if you want to test your flux capacitor, LOL...

[David T]

Just saw it on the local cable news channel here in NJ. For $400 you're famous! A lot of people would gladly pay $400 for that kind of publicity!

[novadmc]

your ticket news is gradually taking over my fb news feed and now i have family emailing me about it too. i hope it was worth it for you! :p

enjoy being (in)famous! :D

[Boingonut]

Yeah, this is all getting kind of weird, I want to try to collect the newspapers or something so I can take them to car shows. Sorry about it blowing up everywhere, I thought it would just be a little local story that only DeLorean geeks would care about. There was even a little blurb on Good Morning America. And this afternoon I'm going to be interviewed on a BBC radio show.

The only thing that kind of makes me mad is when people say the DeLorean is super slow or that they suck, they really are not that bad even when they are stock. I mean yeah they can be a headache, I've only had mine a month and the brakes are bad, the AC isn't working and to dome lights won't turn off when I close the doors, but thats part of the charm of the car. Mine is a Stage II so it is pretty fast.

Anyway here's a link to the Good Morning America thing,

http://abcnews.go.com/US/back-future-fan-ticket-88-mph-1982-delorean/story?id=47721412

[Lwanmtr]

Im amazed that someone getting a speeding ticket could get so much coverage...Yeah, its a Delorean and yeah it was going 88..but...its just a speeding ticket...lol

That being said...at least we know the Delorean is special enough to spark that kinda thing....you never see the news about a ferrari getting a ticket...lol

[Boingonut]

One more, so the LA Times has done the best interview yet, a lot of info about the DeLorean in general (not just my car but DeLoreans all around) They got some stuff wrong but what can you do?

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-delorean-speeding-ticket-20170530-htmlstory.html

[bytes311]

One more, so the LA Times has done the best interview yet, a lot of info about the DeLorean in general (not just my car but DeLoreans all around) They got some stuff wrong but what can you do?

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-delorean-speeding-ticket-20170530-htmlstory.html

Very cool! I don't think my stock D could even reach 150 mph.

[Jonathan]

You can add Canada to your list of fame...

http://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/back-to-the-future-fan-ticketed-for-doing-88mph-in-his-delorean-1.3435325?cid=SocialFlow%3Afacebook%3Anational

[Lenny]

Very cool! I don't think my stock D could even reach 150 mph.

I hit 130 on a closed interstate road rally. It still had more in it but I started thinking How old are the parts in this car? took it down to 90 till we hit the unclosed portion. is unclosed a word?

[Timebender]

So does your car have the blue neon lights under it, or did the LA Times Photoshop that in? And is that the McFly house behind you in the pic?

[Boingonut]

So does your car have the blue neon lights under it, or did the LA Times Photoshop that in? And is that the McFly house behind you in the pic?

Its got blue LED's in the engine bay, the interior and under it. It also has a hardwired full sized flux capacitor. I took out the flux capacitor out, but it is easy to put it back in. Also I have a BTTF speedo.

Thats actually my house, but almost all houses in Southern California built in the 60's kind of look like the McFly house

[Parzval]

You were on the news spot on the radio on 98.3fm this morning in South Jersey.
You're everywhere! Coast to coast!

[davidc89]

Heard you on the radio in Minnesota 93.7 kxxr

[Slammer]

On Norwegian radio today!

[DMCVegas]

Did you take a close look at the ticket to see if there were any errors on it? I've heard (but not tested this myself) that if the cop wrote down your plate wrong or something like that, it can be an automatic dismissal. I once showed up at the courthouse and they couldn't find my ticket in the system (which was lucky for me since it was my 2nd one in a year). Crossing my fingers that you have an error in your favor! I read a book on how to get out of tickets once that said your case can be dismissed if the cop doesn't show up in court to testify. Maybe the guy will cut you a break since he obviously found you to be the highlight of his day. Whatever you do, don't piss off the judge if you contest the ticket - one of my coworkers went to court and the judge doubled his fine because they thought he had a bad attitude or something.

I read a book like that once called Beat the Cops that had the same kinds of advice. But from my experience, the only 2 things I've ever genuinely seen work are to be nice and respectful through the whole process, and to get a lawyer.

It all depends upon the court, but for a simple typo, most will probably be forgiving to the officer. To really get a ticket dismissed for a paperwork error, it has to be something major, and I've only ever seen that twice. Both times were major screw-ups like the incorrect make/model/year of vehicle, or wrong time/location.

Even if the officer doesn't show up, the court can still reschedule the hearing/trial for a later date to accommodate them. So that's not always a sure thing. But yes, definitely always be polite and respectful to the judge, and the officer themselves. If something is wrong with the ticket, the side of the road is not the place to argue it. That's for the courtroom. And once you do get into court, be early, be polite, speak loud & clear, and above all, dress appropriately. Last time I got a ticket was years ago in Houston proper. I had a ticket attorney just in case, but after the 3 sets of roll being called, and another 40 minutes later, my lawyer summoned me up to the court clerk's desk. She told me that the officer wasn't here just yet, but would be for other cases. However, they also had an activity log the officer had submitted with her paperwork where she noted that I was pleasant to deal with and respectful during the traffic stop. So because of that, and my clean record, they were just going to dismiss my case. 5 minutes later I was walking out of the courtroom.

Otherwise, just get an attorney who most of the time can just get the ticket amended and converted to non-moving violations. You still pay the same amount as the initial fine, but no points on your license, no increase in insurance premiums, and no problems with future jobs if you ever go for one that might require operating a company vehicle.

Now granted if you got pulled over driving a DeLorean doing 88, and then got some notoriety off of that across the internet and various other news outlets, that makes things a bit more difficult for an attorney to advocate on your behalf. After all, while perhaps not monetarily, you did after all just profit or benefit in some way for violating the law.

[Boingonut]

I'm glad people are enjoying the story, although I didn't think it would get big at all. How it all started was I did an interview with my local newspaper and it just got out of control. I thought that only some hardcore BTTF fans and DeLorean junkies would care. To be honest I'm sick to death of the whole thing. I've been on Good Morning America, CBS, ABC and a radio program for the BBC. Today I just did a thing with Inside Edition. The interview I did with the LA Times I feel is the best representation.

On the Inside Edition thing I actually went and met the cop and we talked on camera and shook hands and whatnot. I got to chat with the guy offscreen and he really is a nice guy. As far as I'm concerned the officer is just a guy who was doing his job, and I was speeding and I do deserve the ticket so I'm not even going to try to contest it in any way shape or form. Even if I wanted to contest the ticket after all this press stuff I don't think it would be a good idea. The California Highway Patrol are having fun with the story, and actually told me that it is good press for them.

I just got an email coming to my very very private school email account for a ticket fighting company that offered their services for free and that whole thing feels kinda sleazy. I'm just going to pay the ticket, go to traffic school so I can avoid getting points on my license and move on.

I'll frame the ticket, keep some of the newspaper articles and show them off at car shows.

I do apologize if this story has been blowing up on social media and if you are sick of hearing about it, know that am I sick of it too.

Last night I had CBS showed up on my doorstep unannounced just as I was going to bed, and I had to pull the DeLorean out and do a interview after being awake for almost 30 hours. The CBS guy was nice, but maybe I should have just kept the lights out and went to bed. I only did the Inside Edition thing because they contacted me beforehand.

I have now stopped answering my phone, which goes off about every half hour with strange numbers even now as I post this. I feel like the story has been told and I am very uncomfortable in any kind of spotlight. Its kind of creepy how press people can track you down, I have a private phone number and my Facebook has pretty high privacy settings, but they found a way. They even tracked down my mom's phone number.

I've only had a DeLorean for a month and I can tell you this car is a star, people love it and I guess thats why this story and others like it get so big. Its kind of heavy (see what I did there) to own a DeLorean and the experience has been an odd one for me, especially with the story blowing up so soon after buying it.

[Lwanmtr]

Life lesson.....dont speed in a delorean unless youre ready to become known internationally...lol

I still find the whole thing absurd that it would get so much coverage...I could see it if maybe you had killed 43 people during your flux fueled rampage..but it was just a speeding violation...Maybe its kinda like finding evidence of UFO's.... 'omg there's proof a delorean can actually go fast'....lol

Can understand that you'd stop answering calls and go into hiding..specially having just bought the car

[DaraSue]

Fame is a cruel mistress ;)

Seriously though, hang in there. A week from now some celebrity will do something stupid on Twitter and everybody will forget about this. But at least all the gas station car shows you have to look forward to will seem like small potatoes now. :cool:

[Lwanmtr]

Here's a trick...just requires a couple of fridge boxes, some paint and some duct tape.....make a uhm... 'body kit' in the shape of an AMC Pacer and put it over your car...you'll be incognito.. :ninja:

[David T]

For all of the news these days, a story like this kind of lightens things up a little so I don't find it all that bad. It also is great publicity for the Delorean brand. Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame and if you can parley it into something all the better. I would still go into the court and plead for mercy, they may reduce the fine. If you are of the mindset to pay it anyway, anything you can do to reduce it is a win. Taking the points will probably affect your insurance, if not for the Delorean than for your daily driver. Here in NJ they have what some call the $400 special deal. The ticket is pleaded down to a non moving violation. No points, the local court gets to keep most of the money (they don't have to split as much with the State) and you pay the full amount. If the officer agrees, the prosecutor will accept it. Talk to the prosecutor and/or the officer before court begins and see what they have in mind for you. Maybe take the car to a local hospital for some kids to sit in for community service or a DARE program?

[mr_maxime]

Can't believe I missed out on all this attention for going too fast lol. I was doing 91mph when i got a speeding ticket.

I didnt have an angle drive at the time, so I put one in. When I went to court, I brought my receipt and explained the situation. The judge dismissed the ticket and I had to pay court costs. That was the best case scenario I could hope for. It was also somewhat risky, since I knew not having a working speedo might also be a fine. If it's your first speeding offense, they often have something that you can do to have the ticket dismissed, but you always end up paying. I've gone to court twice for tickets and I have never seen the ticketing officer there, so I don't know where this "if the officer doesnt show up, your ticket gets dismissed" logic comes from.

[DaraSue]

I've gone to court twice for tickets and I have never seen the ticketing officer there, so I don't know where this "if the officer doesnt show up, your ticket gets dismissed" logic comes from.

I thought I remembered it from this book (https://www.scribd.com/document/37178708/A-Speeders-Guide-to-Avoiding-Tickets) but skimming through it again just now I couldn't find the passage I was thinking of so maybe it was anecdata from a friend who'd had a ticket dismissed because a cop didn't show up and the judge was annoyed about it (this would have been in SoCal, 10+ years ago).

That book does mention that if in court the officer testifies and can't remember the specifics of your incident you have a good chance of getting a reduced fine or dismissal, but something tells me that won't be the OP's case...

[Timebender]

Its got blue LED's in the engine bay, the interior and under it. It also has a hardwired full sized flux capacitor. I took out the flux capacitor out, but it is easy to put it back in. Also I have a BTTF speedo.

Thats actually my house, but almost all houses in Southern California built in the 60's kind of look like the McFly house

Probably in LA more than San Diego- depending on what part of the county you're in. Neat lighting on your car too!

[Lwanmtr]

Ya know..aint seen any interviews with cop who gave the ticket...seems unfair...lol

[bytes311]

I'm surprised the officer didn't write up a citation for the missing front license plate.

[David T]

The officer doesn't always show up BUT if you plead not guilty they will reschedule and the officer MUST be there. If he can't make it they often will reschedule but if he never shows up they will eventually dismiss it. In this case I think you WANT the officer to show up. He may be very amenable to reducing the charge and if he recommends that to the prosecutor there is a good chance you won't get any points. If they think all of this publicity was good for them they may be lenient.

[iflights]

Maybe take the car to a local hospital for some kids to sit in for community service or a DARE program?

This is genius! Instead of paying $400 and getting points, offer to do something like that for kids...the news will likely pick up the story again as a happy ending.

Everyone loves a happy ending!

[DMCVegas]

I just got an email coming to my very very private school email account for a ticket fighting company that offered their services for free and that whole thing feels kinda sleazy. I'm just going to pay the ticket, go to traffic school so I can avoid getting points on my license and move on.

Finding people's e-mail and home addresses is never hard. Somewhere, it's published on a website. Is it really sleazy though? Or is that just a sign of someone resourceful, and/or your information simply not being as private as you thought? Don't rush to judgement on that just yet...

But getting back to the subject, while pleading guilty seems like a "noble" idea, it really is not. When I was 21 I had a speeding ticket, and decided to do the same as you. Thought I'd just pay the ticket, and then do some driving classes to avoid getting points on my license. The problem though is that there are 3 databases. A private database one only the police can see, a public DMV record of your tickets that insurance companies (and potentially other states) have access to, and then the one that keeps track of your "points".

Just like you're looking to do, I paid the fine, and then did a defensive driving course. So I had the points removed, but then I discovered the hard way that the DMV's record was still there showing that I had a traffic ticket I was convicted for. Paying the fine is an automatic admission of guilt as it constitutes a guilty plea, and a No Contest (Nolo Contendere) plea has the exact same ramifications, but without the admission of guilt so that the offense can be used against you as evidence in another trial. Now while the defensive driving class removed the points from my license, the state kept the record of my traffic ticket where they made it available to all insurance companies. My insurance rates immediately shot up, and remained there for the next 3 years! All the other insurance companies also saw the ticket because of that database, and had even worse rates. Again, 3 years of waiting for rates to go back down, and 3 years of being barred from employment for jobs that demanded a clean driving record.

People love to make lawyers the butt of jokes. But when you need one, especially to navigate either the law or the local courthouse staff, you really appreciate them. So I highly suggest you find one and take advantage of their services and get rid of this ticket. It won't be easy with all the attention you've drawn to yourself, especially if you've publicly admitted guilt. But a good attorney can get the ticket at least knocked-down to some parking tickets to get rid of it, and the long-term ramifications.

As for the fame, like others have said, give it a week to die down, and it'll be like you never existed.

[DaraSue]

Yeah, I got a ticket for doing 70 in a 65 (it was really more like 90, but the cop tried to be nice). My insurance rate went up by about 30%, so I can't even imagine what 18 over the limit would have been. (I've been making a conscientious effort not to speed ever since.) If you're insuring your car as a daily driver it's not going to be pretty. Seconding what others have said about trying to negotiate and get it lowered to a lesser violation or dismissed in exchange for community service. With the car you've got something to offer that would be good publicity for both the charity and the CHP!

[Dangermouse]

sadly, you are as guilty as a puppy sitting next to a puddle of pee.

Not only have you admitted your guilt to numerous and publications, you have admitted that you knew you were doing 85 (in a 65) and you decided to go even faster.

Now if you hire a super defense lawyer like Johnny Cochrane, he may get you off - by finding 3 witnesses that swear that the puddle of pee was there before you got there; and that the glove doesn't fit, but would probably charge $1000/hr thereby nullifying any savings

It's not the CHP you are negotiating with - they have their good publicity - "yes, we caught a guy speeding, and even though he was a BTTF fan, as was the officer, we gave him a ticket anyway. Because we apply the law equally. (And didn't assault him, which is always good)"; it's the courts

What's in it for the prosecutor or court to let you off? If they say "tsk, tsk, it was only a movie fan doing 23 MPH over the speed limit, what's the harm" and let you off, they will just encourage any other D driver to do the same, as they know at least some of those publications may do a follow up story. Find a charity that the court/sherrifs dept supports and make your offer in that direction.

Hope you don't have a "SuperSpeeder" law in CA like we do in GA, that automatically adds a further $200 fine (from the state, not the court) to any charge of more than 20 over the limit

As Robert says, I would also look into a lawyer, just not Johnny Cochrane

[DMCVegas]

As Robert says, I would also look into a lawyer, just not Johnny Cochrane

Yes, I agree that Johnnie Cochrane couldn't get this ticket dismissed. Although there is a slight mitigating circumstance as to why that is....

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/find-a-grave-prod/photos/2006/7/10700908_113676397016.jpg

I dunno. Maybe Howard Weitzman could help? He too got O.J. off, and happens to know a thing or two about De Loreans... :rofl:

But seriously, I doubt the ticket will be straight dismissed. Most municipalities just want the cash, so they'll just amend the ticket to a bunch of parking tickets that equate the same amount as the fine. But you don't get the insurance hike because you've got a clean driving record, so you still come out ahead financially.

[Rich_NYS]

~snip~
Talk to the prosecutor and/or the officer before court begins and see what they have in mind for you. Maybe take the car to a local hospital for some kids to sit in for community service or a DARE program?

+1

This is similar to what I've had very good luck with. You have nothing to lose by having a simple conversation with the "opposing team." It's easy to see you have a great attitude and that will get you further than you might know.

A few simple sentences, a good attitude, and some humor costs zero and could save you hundreds:

-"Is there any chance I can get this reduced?"
-"I've been using my car for good, not evil..."
-"By any chance, has one of the news outlets offered to pay my fine?"
-"I was totally planning to go back in time and slow down....honest!"

I would absolutely recommend [first] talking to the cop, he knows you're a good guy and I wouldn't be surprised if a reduction is already in play.

[Lwanmtr]

-"I was totally planning to go back in time and slow down....honest!"

Ill have to remember that one....lol

[delgato]

I don't think you can get out of this ticket.

You have a photo of the speed gun and that pic has been published in many news outlets now.

I would be very impressed if you did get out of it.

[DaraSue]

There was a cop behind me on my way to work today. I made sure to keep it right at 65 just in case. Eventually he passed me. He must have been disappointed. ;)

[Lwanmtr]

Maybe you shoulda gunned it for just a moment...hehe

[Ryan King]

I'm just tired of getting tagged by friends of friends who know I have a DeLorean asking if it was me. No. It wasn't.

[Peripatetic]

So YOU'RE the one!

Good game. Perfect 5/7.

[Boingonut]

sadly, you are as guilty as a puppy sitting next to a puddle of pee.

Yeah:rofl:, I don't think I'm getting out of this one even with the best lawyers on the planet. Here is the thing, they only really want the money. Also this is California, our unofficial speed limit is 80-85, as far as I'm concerned I was going 3 over.

I had a nice long chat with he cops, the one who pulled me over and one who was a supervisor in the CHP while shooting the spot for Inside Edition. They pretty much have to pull you over and give you a ticket if you are going 20 over, no warning no anything just ticket. I'm sure there are exceptions, but with all the press I'm not going to be one.

Mostly the reason they don't pull you over for going like 80 is that if you have somebody pulled over on the side of the road it makes traffic jams, and thats when people start shooting at each other in Los Angeles (kidding...kind of:umm:). That, and they would be pulling over 75% or drivers. Its sometimes dangerous not to go at least 80 here. So when they pull you over they need to make it worth their while and be sure that they can get you for speeding and get the ticket to stick. That means they have try to use 2 different tactics to confirm evidence that you were speeding. First by radar and second if they can they try to clock you once they are behind you. They do this you by sneaking up on you once they got you on radar without their lights on then try to clock you. You can usually spot them when they do this, and I did the second he pulled out, so he only got me on radar because I had slowed down a lot once I saw him pull out. But with all the press and me admitting I was speeding in multiple interviews its an open and shut case. Hell, the cop is kind of my friend now, and it would be a dick move to try to back out of the ticket now.

I get fighting the ticket out of principle, and if he had me for 87 or 89 you better believe I would fight tooth and nail. For example when I get pulled over I never EVER incriminate myself when they ask me how fast I think I was going. When he came up to the car he said he said he had pulled me over for speeding and asked how fast I thought I was going was going, you know the typical questions they ask so they can try to get you to incriminate yourself crap. I asked how he knew I was speeding, and he said it was by radar gun. I then asked how fast the radar gun said I was going and he said 88. Pretty much after that I just started laughing, I guess because of the car and the 88mph thing the ticket suddenly became kind of cool. I mean come on guys I have in writing a ticket saying I was going 88mph in a freaking DeLorean, thats awesome! Also now I have proof when some jackass says "DeLoreans can't even go 88 hahaha" I can whip out my ticket and say "yes they can". And believe me she had a lot more in her, I was barely pulling 3500 rpms.

If I had wanted to fight the ticket I would have never ever posted anything anywhere online once I got it. The minute I posted here and then other places I pretty much made my own grave and became guilty as a puppy next to a puddle of pee (I like that):rofl:. I thought it was a funny story, obviously so did a lot of other people, way more then I could have ever imagined haha!:rofl:

As far as points go and insurance I talked to CHP about all of that stuff and all I have to do is this little online traffic school thing and they take the point off of your license. They actively try to get people to get points off of their licenses because we have a insurance problems in California and they don't want anybody to have any excuse to not have insurance so they make it really easy to get rid of points. I'm not sure if it is a bigger deal in other states but here they make it easy for you here. Really they just want the money from the ticket.

I've thought about doing some kind of charity by using the car, but that would perhaps generate more press and I really just want this thing to die already. It got way way WAY bigger then I could have ever imagined. I just thought it would be a small local story here in little hometown north of L.A.

If I had known how big it was going to be I would have kept my mouth shut and just quietly fought the ticket. Because now not only do I have to deal with the typical DeLorean comments, now I'm the 88mph guy. Sad to say that the car has stayed in the garage since most of this has gone down because of all this. Once things die down in a few weeks I'll be back to driving 10162 on a daily basis.

I will say this. I'm not going to accept a gofundme or anything (had two people try to set something up) because again that will just generate more press. I will say though that the AC broke on my DeLorean shortly after all this happened so since I have to pay for a $400 ticket I might have to put off fixing it (I have no idea how to fix it myself, although I have a good idea what is wrong). So if there are any DeLorean mechanics who enjoyed the story here in Los Angeles area who want to help me out with the AC I would not turn that down. The brakes also need work.

I was going to take it down to DMC in Orange County but if anyone wants to help out with repairs I wouldn't turn that down...just saying haha!

[David T]

I am not saying to fight the ticket, just try to get the best deal you can. Being guilty and getting sentenced (fined) are 2 different things. I hear you when you say you are guilty but the court has some latitude in how to impose fines and fees. They can reduce the charges, suspend sentencing, probation, a whole host of options depending on the message they want to send. Offering some form of community service can be a huge face-saving option. The court gets it's pound of flesh and you get a lighter treatment. If you are ready to take anything the court has to offer you have nothing to lose by trying to negotiate the sentence. It sounds like the officers would go along with it. A lawyer would probably not help much and would cost a lot. Talk to the prosecutor beforehand and see what he offers.

[Rich_NYS]

I am not saying to fight the ticket, just try to get the best deal you can. Being guilty and getting sentenced (fined) are 2 different things. I hear you when you say you are guilty but the court has some latitude in how to impose fines and fees. They can reduce the charges, suspend sentencing, probation, a whole host of options depending on the message they want to send. Offering some form of community service can be a huge face-saving option. The court gets it's pound of flesh and you get a lighter treatment. If you are ready to take anything the court has to offer you have nothing to lose by trying to negotiate the sentence. It sounds like the officers would go along with it. A lawyer would probably not help much and would cost a lot. Talk to the prosecutor beforehand and see what he offers.

+1, my thoughts exactly.

[Boingonut]

I am not saying to fight the ticket, just try to get the best deal you can. Being guilty and getting sentenced (fined) are 2 different things. I hear you when you say you are guilty but the court has some latitude in how to impose fines and fees. They can reduce the charges, suspend sentencing, probation, a whole host of options depending on the message they want to send. Offering some form of community service can be a huge face-saving option. The court gets it's pound of flesh and you get a lighter treatment. If you are ready to take anything the court has to offer you have nothing to lose by trying to negotiate the sentence. It sounds like the officers would go along with it. A lawyer would probably not help much and would cost a lot. Talk to the prosecutor beforehand and see what he offers.

I think I'll look into that!

[Lenny]

There is always the chance the officer won't show up.
1. He may have another trial in a different jurisdiction.
2. He may be on vacation.
3. He may have another trial in felony court.
4. He may not remember he has a trial.
5. Etc., Etc

[David T]

There is always the chance the officer won't show up.
1. He may have another trial in a different jurisdiction.
2. He may be on vacation.
3. He may have another trial in felony court.
4. He may not remember he has a trial.
5. Etc., Etc

While all of that could happen, the court can just reschedule and can do it several times. Or they may dismiss the first time. All depends. In some cases the officer will duck the case knowing it is a weak case figuring it will get dismissed instead of having to come and lose. Don't count on it, the officer usually has multiple cases the same night. The officer will only appear if you plead not guilty. iI you plead guilty the officer does not have to be there to prove the case, the only thing to be settled is the penalty. The judge doesn't need the officer for that.

[Rich_NYS]

While all of that could happen, the court can just reschedule and can do it several times. Or they may dismiss the first time. All depends. In some cases the officer will duck the case knowing it is a weak case figuring it will get dismissed instead of having to come and lose. Don't count on it, the officer usually has multiple cases the same night. The officer will only appear if you plead not guilty. iI you plead guilty the officer does not have to be there to prove the case, the only thing to be settled is the penalty. The judge doesn't need the officer for that.

Roger that.

Plus, [whether legal or not,] the prosecutor(?) can "represent" the officer without the officer being there....I've heard that mentioned by a judge a few different times. Important to note: the cop talks with the court (Judge, DA, etc...) If they want to give you a break, they'll communicate that to the prosecutor (same if they want to nail you.)

I personally have had a ticket that the cop didn't want to pursue; he purposely didn't show up to testify, and communicated his desire [to the DA] not to pursue it further. Judge called my name, read the charge, said "Merry Christmas," and I was on my way.

[DMCVegas]

Roger that.

Plus, [whether legal or not,] the prosecutor(?) can "represent" the officer without the officer being there....I've heard that mentioned by a judge a few different times. Important to note: the cop talks with the court (Judge, DA, etc...) If they want to give you a break, they'll communicate that to the prosecutor (same if they want to nail you.)

I personally have had a ticket that the cop didn't want to pursue; he purposely didn't show up to testify, and communicated his desire [to the DA] not to pursue it further. Judge called my name, read the charge, said "Merry Christmas," and I was on my way.

No, it's pretty much legal from what I've seen. You *might* be able to force the officer to appear by requesting a jury trial, sure. But then you could be dealing with pissed-off jurors who don't like the fact some dude speeding in his sports car is wasting their time to make them appear in court. Hell, they could convict you out of spite. But even with all of that, the judge still has the ability to toss half-baked evidence and/or sustain objections to an incorrect defense.

Now I don't know what OP is going to do, and frankly, I don't care. No matter what I write, he's going to do what he's going to do.

At this point it's for the archives, so for anyone who comes across this thread, this is for them:

No matter what your speeding ticket is for, you will always want to have an attorney present. Judges are meant to be impartial. So just as they're not going to stack the deck against you with biased proceedings, they're also not going to help you with your case so as to be biased against the prosecution during a legal matter. They're not there to give you hints on what you should plead for a defense, let alone what you should invoke if you are ever a plaintiff.

The most important thing of all is to know where judges come from. Judges are first and foremost attorneys themselves. Whether they are elected to a local court, or even appointed to a higher one, the fact always remains that they are intimately familiar with the very courtrooms they preside over because they once practiced and argued law in them. Along with that comes a network of colleagues in and around those courts. Attorneys know the judges they argue in front of, and can develop a big camaraderie with them both personally and professionally. That's important because courtrooms are swamped. If you have a judge with a huge docket they need to get through, attorneys can help because they can give advice to the courtroom on how to proceed. Which includes both the judge and the clerks. First time offender on a misdemeanor? Especially a whole stack of them? The court might just rubber-stamp the cases for dismissal, amendment, or short-term probation with dismissal upon successful completion, so that they can clear the caseloads out.

That is why hiring an attorney is important. Like in this case for instance: You show up by yourself, you might have a judge that doesn't like the potential mockery or personal benefit from the publicity surrounding this ticket. Hell, they might not even like you stretching their day out by making them hear yet ANOTHER case that could have been resolved before getting to them. But if you hire an attorney, they might just be able to bend the court's ear to make things work in your favor. Or at least get your case quickly & quietly shuffled through the bulk paperwork to get you out before you even know it.

Bottom line: Always hire an attorney for your traffic tickets.

[David T]

While I agree with most of the points, going in with a lawyer isn't always the best strategy. While a lawyer may help the court expedite the case sometimes it appears you brought one to fight them, not work with them. Especially if the court doesn't like the lawyer. From all of times I was in court for tickets, most people got about the same deal by talking to the prosecutor and cutting a deal and pleading to a lesser charge with or without a lawyer. A lawyer is expensive, save your money for the fine and get the ticket reduced to a non-moving violation so you don't get any points. Those points will cost you for YEARS in higher insurance premiums. Reducing or eliminating the points is the objective. The court knows that so by your pleading guilty all the court has to do is set the sentence, not prove you are guilty. A much easier case and when they charge you with a non-moving violation that you accept they get to keep most of the money, not having to split as much with the State. A win-win for everyone but the State (and your insurance company).

[DMCVegas]

With all due respect, stating that having an attorney present to represent you is a bad move because it implies some sort of guilt is one of the most asinine things I've ever heard. Because unless your fighting something very serious such as a DWI, you're probably never going to stand in front of the bench. The clerks will handle everything and get send you on your way. Just as bad is the assumption that an attorney is an expensive luxury for a traffic ticket. It isn't. Depending upon the law firm, your basic moving violations will cost you anywhere from $50 to $200. Some fledging firms may even work pro bono and not charge you a thing as a way of advertising for their other cases they practice law in.

Now you might get the ticket dismissed, although that is very rare. More likely is that you'll probably either have it amended and changed to non-moving violations, or receive deferred adjudication. Which is where your sentence is probation for a few weeks or months. If you make it through probation with no other moving violations, THEN the charges are dropped. However, in both of the latter scenarios, you still pay 100% of the original fine. With deferred adjudication, the fine then becomes bail that is automatically forfeited at the end, regardless of outcome. So the government still sees their money. There is never a reduction in fines.

But that's the kicker, Dave. While you're just looking at the small picture of the cost of a lawyer vs. the ticket itself, you're not considering any of the other long-term financial implications involved.

First are your insurance rates. Yes, you will pay more for insurance. Depending upon your existing driving record, that may manifest itself as either increased rates, the suspension of future reduced rates, or possibly a combination of the two. Now for something like a speeding ticket, you might see only a 9%-15% yearly increase on premiums. But if you then become involved in an accident, those rates shoot even higher & upwards of 30% or more per year. So over the span of 3 years while you wait for that accident to drop-off your insurance, you're looking at a cost savings of perhaps a couple hundred bucks, to potentially almost a thousand dollars. And that's just for a single vehicle.

Second are the professional implications. Many positions will require you to have a clean driving record as being a requirement of employment. Either as someone whose primary job duties include the operation of a vehicle, or simply because there is a chance it may happen. So if you loose an existing job, or even just the opportunity for a job because of a traffic ticket, you are then looking at tens of thousands of dollars in lost income and associated benefits. All because you didn't want to hire an attorney to fight it for you. Even just looking at the numbers, how in the world is it a waste of money to spend, even at the high rage, a couple hundred bucks on a lawyer to save potentially thousands of dollars?

And sure, you can try and fight this in court yourself. That is absolutely true. But like I said previously, judges are meant to be impartial. Which absolutely means they're not going to help you. They can't magically turn a speeding ticket into one for parking. So if you ask that, the answer will be no. But if you know how to ask how to amend the ticket to change it's classification instead, then you have a chance at having that happen. But the court isn't going to tell you what words to say in order to make that happen. Again, the attorney probably already has that rapport with the court to expedite the process, in even in a remote court not normally in his or her regular circles (assuming they couldn't get a change of venue to the local county), they at least know what to say to make the law work for you.

Attorneys aren't the boogiemen they're always portrayed to be. They are there to make the law work for you, and are a better investment than submitting to a ticket, or in most cases fighting it yourself.

[Lenny]

In Florida if you have a clean driving record you can go to a school (online) and the ticket will be dismissed and no points on your license.

Check if your state does that.

[David T]

In Florida if you have a clean driving record you can go to a school (online) and the ticket will be dismissed and no points on your license.

Check if your state does that.

In New Jersey they will remove some points each year if you have no further tickets and if you take a driving course they will remove some more points. Each State has it's point reduction program and in some cases it helps with insurance and in others it doesn't. The points and their removal still shows up on your driving record. As for making a deal, you do it with the prosecutor BEFORE your case goes in front of the judge so everything is all set up and all the judge has to do is make it official by putting it on the record. The main objective should be to avoid ANY points, the amount of the fine isn't important.

[Rich_NYS]

~snip~ As for making a deal, you do it with the prosecutor BEFORE your case goes in front of the judge so everything is all set up and all the judge has to do is make it official by putting it on the record. The main objective should be to avoid ANY points, the amount of the fine isn't important.

Exactly.....I've done it multiple times.

Some of the lawyers I've seen in traffic court might not have been boogymen, but they were certainly nutjobs (and aggravating for the judge.)

-I have walked into court, asked for a pre-trial conference with the prosecutor, and walked out without points.

-I've approached a judge and said: "I have my checkbook in one hand, a positive attitude in the other, and I'd really like to make a deal." (paid a fine....no points.)

The whole system is a money-making sham....they just want to make money. If I get another ticket that risks anything more than a fine, I'm approaching the prosecutor in the hallway, yo......

[Boingonut]

Exactly.....I've done it multiple times.

Some of the lawyers I've seen in traffic court might not have been boogymen, but they were certainly nutjobs (and aggravating for the judge.)

-I have walked into court, asked for a pre-trial conference with the prosecutor, and walked out without points.

-I've approached a judge and said: "I have my checkbook in one hand, a positive attitude in the other, and I'd really like to make a deal." (paid a fine....no points.)

The whole system is a money-making sham....they just want to make money. If I get another ticket that risks anything more than a fine, I'm approaching the prosecutor in the hallway, yo......

I like this idea, it couldn't hurt to try, right? While the CHP assured me that the points won't have much of an impact as long as I take traffic school I'm not really sure I should trust them. I've tried looking stuff up on California law regarding points and things seem to get a bit murky, clear answers seem hard to come by. Some things contradict what the CHP said to me, others seem to back it up. Seems best to just try to get out of the points altogether and talking to the court or judge informally sounds perfect. I mean tickets are really just a scam to get money, I don't mind paying up for the ticket but I don't want any points following me around.

How is the best way you have approached a judge, like how to you find them etc. before the hearing without annoying them? I haven't had a traffic violation since the 90's when I was a teenager, and back then I just paid up and moved on, never went to court (I've was driving an old Volvo station wagon before the DeLorean, you can get away with murder in that thing). In fact I have never been in a court room in my entire life. So all of this is new to me.

I don't know if you guys want to keep this thread alive, but I think it could continue to be an interesting discussion on dealing with traffic tickets.:)

[rickjames8]

I like this idea, it couldn't hurt to try, right? While the CHP assured me that the points won't have much of an impact as long as I take traffic school I'm not really sure I should trust them. I've tried looking stuff up on California law regarding points and things seem to get a bit murky, clear answers seem hard to come by. Some things contradict what the CHP said to me, others seem to back it up. Seems best to just try to get out of the points altogether and talking to the court or judge informally sounds perfect. I mean tickets are really just a scam to get money, I don't mind paying up for the ticket but I don't want any points following me around.

How is the best way you have approached a judge, like how to you find them etc. before the hearing without annoying them? I haven't had a traffic violation since the 90's when I was a teenager, and back then I just paid up and moved on, never went to court (I've was driving an old Volvo station wagon before the DeLorean, you can get away with murder in that thing). In fact I have never been in a court room in my entire life. So all of this is new to me.

I don't know if you guys want to keep this thread alive, but I think it could continue to be an interesting discussion on dealing with traffic tickets.:)

I would lean towards the method someone suggested earlier. Agree to pay the fine, but perhaps offer to give rides to children in make-a-wish programs in exchange of the points (you'd need to promise not to speed with the kids in the car, of course). I think with all the publicity this has gotten, everyone would be up for that idea. You pay the fine so the police aren't seen publicly being light on speeders, make-a-wish gets some good press from the Marty-McFly-Speeder-guy, you are seen as a reformed speeder who sees the error of his ways and just wants to give back to his community. The $200 or so is not as damaging as the increase in your insurance if you get the points.

[David T]

You cannot negotiate with the judge. You see the prosecutor. He is the lawyer that represents the State and is the one who can make a deal. He knows what the court wants and what the judge can reasonably accept. Everyone is going to get a good laugh out of this and they will go light on you if you cooperate. Offering to do some form of community service can also generate more good publicity so offer it BEFORE you take out your checkbook. As much as they want money, they know good publicity is worth something too.

[Rich_NYS]

You cannot negotiate with the judge. You see the prosecutor. He is the lawyer that represents the State and is the one who can make a deal. He knows what the court wants and what the judge can reasonably accept. Everyone is going to get a good laugh out of this and they will go light on you if you cooperate. Offering to do some form of community service can also generate more good publicity so offer it BEFORE you take out your checkbook. As much as they want money, they know good publicity is worth something too.

I think he needs advice on access to the prosecutor before he sees the judge.

Things vary from court to court; if this was in my small town, I'd show up early on the court date and ask anyone that looks important who the prosecutor is. Your area might be an entirely different dynamic, hopefully someone else will have some advice...

BTW, don't underestimate your amiable good looks, they'll get you further than some will admit. Hell, I'd even bring my Mom if I were you.

[Bruce Johnson]

Call the press, "I'm the 88 mph guy. I'll give you an exclusive if you pay my fine".....(and fix my a/c:race: ) Simple...done.

[David T]

That won't help with getting points and it's hard to give anyone an exclusive now that he has given out interviews to others already. No, the thing to offer is community service and all of the additional publicity a happy ending to a light story can get. Can you imagine him and the officer that gave him the ticket at a hospital with a bunch of happy kids all around it? You can't buy that kind of publicity.

[Rich_NYS]

That won't help with getting points and it's hard to give anyone an exclusive now that he has given out interviews to others already. No, the thing to offer is community service and all of the additional publicity a happy ending to a light story can get. Can you imagine him and the officer that gave him the ticket at a hospital with a bunch of happy kids all around it? You can't buy that kind of publicity.

+1

Can you help the OP with advice on getting a conversation with the prosecutor?